Horseracing Selections - Southwell, 21 July 2006
Southwell, 21 July 2006
2:20 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Handicap Chase
Moss Bawn stands out here and is selected, with the 'possibly best of the rest' tag going to Now Then Sid and Billie John. There are some out of form or fairly exposed types in this race, but not so with Moss Bawn, who exploited what looked like a lenient handicap mark based on his Irish form to win in first-time headgear last time. A seven-pound penalty does not disguise the fact that he remains well treated. There is no doubt that Billie John (who is 17 pounds better off for the nine lengths that Now Then Sid beat him back in September, although the latter comes here in better current form and is respected) is well handicapped in terms of running a good race if anywhere near his best of the last 12 months or so, and Just Reuben's recent run at this track certainly reflects him in a good light. Finally, given that the lightly-raced Firion King is due to go up by four pounds in the ratings following his fair Uttoxeter run, he is entitled to some thought. Overall, though, the selection has to be Moss Bawn.
2:55 Simon Cox Ltd Maiden Chase
The short list for this contains Le Bandido, Glacial Gillette, Tip Away and Fibre Optics, and the vote goes to La Bandido. In truth, the betting might provide some stronger clues for you but Fibre Optics, despite the fact that he hasn't built on early promise, has to be considered at this lowly level; Tip Away won a maiden point-top-point in April and has proven that he stays well; and Glacial Gillette holds claims based on an Irish mares-only maiden. All this said, La Bandido is the highest rated of these and her overall form, including when second to Cullian at Worcester two runs ago, makes her the form choice and, accordingly, she is the selection.
3:25 Cartwright King Handicap Chase
Barton Park stands out here and is selected ahead of Dalriath and Upswing. Barton Park looked pretty good when scoring at Uttoxeter last time in what was a better race than this. A seven-pounds penalty - he is due to go up by nine in future assessments - might not stop him from winning again. Dalriath is four pounds above a winning hurdling mark and has shown enough over fences to be fancied here, although he can make mistakes, while much as Upswing has been in-and-out since winning at Hexham in May 2005 from an eight-pounds lower mark than today, he is the type that could go well in this small field. Finally, Cool Chilli has become disappointing over the last 16 months and, despite being just four pounds above his Fakenham winning mark of May 2005, Gale Star's four runs since that victory have been modest. All of which returns us to the choice, which is Barton Park.
4:00 Southwell-racecourse.co.uk Novices' Selling Hurdle
Mungo Jerry gets the vote in the seller, with Templet and Rightontime the ones suggested as his biggest dangers. Dropped to this grade for the first time over jumps, Mungo Jerry holds a clear chance on official ratings and has also shown enough to suggest that he ought to be more than just at home at this level. Although not looking entirely straightforward, Templet won here at a similar level over a shorter trip last time and, with the runner-up Earl Of Spectrum having won at Worcester on Wednesday, his chance is there for all to see. Rightontime was sent off as favourite for his first run for Dai Wintle last time but he can be forgiven that as the run came on soft going at Towcester, which is a far cry from today's conditions. These look to be the major players, although John Storm, who is a point to point winner, has shown enough to be granted some thought dropped to this grade for the first time, and Le Griffe is another point to point winner dropping to this level for the first time. The vote, though, remains with Mungo Jerry.
4:35 Take Control With Wbx.com Handicap Hurdle
Cherished Number and Kanpai look the two key players here with the vote going to the latter. Kanpai comes into this, his handicap debut, on the back of two straight wins, his mark seems fair and he also has Tony McCoy on board. It all adds up to a very good chance. Cherished Number's hurdling record is two from three and, racing in blinkers for the first time over hurdles, this could help his cause after he made mistakes last time. His rating also seems fair enough and he can go well. Looks The Business and Nesnaas are both respected, and they are closely weighted on October Wincanton form but the others would be hard to fancy strongly for win purposes. Not so with Kanpai, who gets the vote.
5:10 Hospitality Packages Available Novices' Handicap Hurdle
Smilingvalentine might prove good enough in the finale; the others making it on to the short list being Waynesworld and Sundawn Lady. The selection had been running well in sellers before performing with credit outside of that sphere from today's mark last time. He has form enough to go well. Waynesworld would have to be considered on his best form of the last 15 months or so, and he looked as though he may have been finding his feet in this respect last time, while Sundawn Lady was running well at around this time last year from a slightly higher mark and can be considered on that basis. Of the others, Butler Services is interesting only because he now races in first-time blinkers and Tony McCoy is on board, while multiple points winner Tsar's Twist could go well. Overall, though, the selection remains as Smilingvalentine.
